The Beautiful Mind: Global Perceptions of Mental Health

How young is too young to diagnose a child with bipolar disorder? What is the solution to alcohol addiction in South Korea? What is normal – and does “normal” even exist?

To explore such questions, this course invites you “down the rabbit hole” of mental health as a global issue. Offering the broadest possible perspective on the topic, we discuss the most prevalent and impactful disorders in different regions and so reveal the complexity of the psychiatric aspects of public health worldwide.

We begin with a general introduction to mental health, following this up with in-depth lectures and workshops on current diagnostic methods in the field. You then use this newly acquired knowledge to discuss treatment options at both individual and community level. You also dive into the realm of policy-making and regulation, on a national as well as an international scale. Particular attention is paid to developing your critical thinking ability in this area by discussing the ambiguity of mental health. Further lectures and workshops focus upon related issues, such as the ethics of mental health, cultural influences and stigma. Working in groups, you end the course by investigating a specific question in global mental health, analysing and reporting on this topic through medical and cross-cultural psychiatric lenses.

Course leader

Elena V. Syurina

Target group

Students and professionals with a background in public health, mental health or a similar field, plus professionals looking to expand their understanding of these issues at the global level. Our courses are multi-disciplinary and therefore are open to students with a wide variety of backgrounds.

Course aim

At the end of this course, you:
•Acquire basic knowledge about the mental health organization, from diagnosis to rehabilitation.
•Understand the factors which influence mental health status and service provision, in both the national and the international arena.
•Are able to take an interdisciplinary approach to mental health issues so that you better understand how they relate to other health-related problems.
•Gain practical experience in designing a community-based mental health intervention.
•Are better able to critically assess and debate the complexities and ambiguities of mental health problems.
•Meet and work with peers from different countries and backgrounds.

Credits info

3 ECTS
Contact Hours: 45
If you want to earn more credits you can take courses in our other sessions to create a 4 or 6 week programme.

An early bird discount of €150 is available for students who apply and pay before 15 March, and students from VU Amsterdam as well as from exchange partner universities will receive a €250 discount. You apply for the discount simply by indicating that you are currently a student at VU Amsterdam or at a partner university in the online application.

There are also discounts for students who attend multiple sessions, combine 2 courses and receive a €200 discount and combine 3 to receive a €300 discount. All courses include excursions. We will also organize trips and excursions as part of our social programme, which is a great way to get to know your fellow students and learn more about Amsterdam and the Netherlands. The social programme is not included in the tuition fee.

Furnished accommodation is available. Various housing options will be offered.

Scholarships

The VU Amsterdam Summer School offers ten scholarships that cover the full tuition and housing fees of one course. Information about how to apply for the scholarship will be posted on the VU Amsterdam Summer School website.